Rafa backs Torres treatment

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has rejected talk of a rift between himself and the Spain national team management over the treatment of striker Fernando Torres.

Benitez has previously voiced his concern over injuries suffered by Torres while away on international duty, but insists that everyone is singing from the same hymnsheet.

He said: "Fernando is our player, working with our physios, but we have a good relationship with (Spain technical director) Fernando Hierro (head coach) Vicente Del Bosque and (fitness coach) Javier Minano.

"When people try to create a mess between Spain and us, remember that Del Bosque was the academy director at Real when I was an academy coach and I was his assistant for the first team. We have a really good relationship.

"His fitness coach was my fitness coach in the Under-18s and the second team. He is my friend. Hierro was in the first team when I was assistant at Real and we had a very good relationship.

"If I defend my players, it is because I have to, but we have very good communications with Spain."

Benitez was speaking after Torres featured as a substitute in the goalless draw with Manchester City, having been sidelined for several weeks with a knee injury.

Also on Benitez's radar is Spain's friendly international against France next week.